Where has all the playfulness gone?

As adults, we tend to lose our playfulness.  
 
Until I had my daughter in 2011, I hadn't really indulged in play during my 20's and early 30's.  Sure as a child and even into highschool I was quite playful.  But, life has a way of subduing those parts of us. 
It wasn't until more recently that I realized, in the past 4 years since starting my business, I hadn't had a regular activity that was “just because.”  Without a goal, or outcome or purpose.  Kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding probably came the closest, but even that has drifted. 
 
I was reminded by a mentor of mine of how important play can be in embodying our true selves.  Choosing a playful approach, or a specific activity that you might enjoy, can maintain quality of life and keep our sense of wonder activated.   Most of 2023 was a whirlwind,  with notable burnout symptoms for me, so playful moments didn't seem as obvious…or I wasn't in a space to receive them.  Burnout also led to a disconnect from joy, and so in this season I am figuring out what brings me joy.  Even if it's not the same things that did before, that's ok. I want to be open and not force it.  

While enjoying my morning coffee this week, I glanced down at the drawing pad on the table.  It was there because I had this urge to release some stuck emotions through doodling.   I immediately saw the rainbow and felt the nudge to trace it.  So I did.  I kept going, moving the pad this way and that to get different patterns and shapes.  I felt relief of the stuck sensations that had been present, and just kept following the intuitive nudges to color and be in the present moment with whatever random creations were coming through.   Afterward, I felt much lighter. I didn't spin a story of what the stuck emotions were or why they were there.  I just followed the urge to create, just because, and let it be. 

Many of my clients know I refer to our work together with the voice as playful.  There must be this intention because a) why take yourself so seriously?! and b) the voice is also an ever-changing kaleidoscope of sound that we can create with anytime we want.  Maybe it's humming a little ditty, trying new silly noises just because, or allowing raw and real vocalizations to release emotions stuck in the body.  
 
During a session last week, my client E was feeling grief from a family situation and anxiety about a business issue she had to resolve but didn't quite know what to say to the other person so she was hesitating, editing and filtering herself.   In her session, we used the voice to connect to her wisdom within and various tonal sounds to help expel any emotions that weren't sufficiently satisfied from verbally processing or over-analyzing.   Within 20 minutes, she felt more grounded, steady in her voice power and was able to easily craft what she wanted to say to the person with the business issue in such a caring, neutral and clear way.   Her voice matched the words she intended to use, and thus her entire message was resonant and well-received.  
 
Because E was willing to play with her voice, be with the sounds as they flowed through her body and detach from a concrete outcome, her energy lightened, the clarity to say what she really wanted came through, and she felt more at ease in the process.  
 
When that playful urge arises, trust it. Give in and enjoy the break from logic, doing more, forcing, over-thinking.  Just Be.   
What can you do this weekend that is playful?  No goal.  Just because.  Even if no one else understands, it's not for them.  It's for you.   
 
Through your custom 1:1 Empower Your Voice journey, you start playing with your voice so that you connect to your inner power and speaking clarity, so that your voice rises above, even through the difficult conversations.  

Could this be for you?

Let's chat to see what's possible -- Book here or email me directly [email protected] to coordinate a convenient time for you!